Purdue's stellar senior class ends their careers with a loss to Arizona in the Elite Eight

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — A dejected Braden Smith walked down the sideline shaking the hands of his Purdue teammates after the final buzzer sounded.

The dream of ending a college career in a home-state Final Four in Indianapolis ended one step shy for Smith and the other two members of the Boilermakers' four-year senior class as Purdue was overwhelmed by Arizona in a 79-64 loss on Saturday night.

For all of the great accomplishments for Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer in four-year careers that featured 117 wins, a trip to the 2024 title game and Smith setting the NCAA career record for assists, the outcome against Arizona was filled with frustration.

But once they got back to the locker room, the thoughts were more about the highs like winning the Big Ten Tournament earlier this month and making the title game in 2024.

“There are so many moments in our four years that have been so special, and I can’t really put them all in order, but I think just for me it was to try to enjoy that with these guys one last time,” Smith said. “Obviously it’s a sad moment, and we don’t want it to end, but at the end of the day, you’re with a group of dudes who enjoyed being around each other, like always hung out off the court.”

They just won't get a chance to play together again for Purdue.

Smith made just one basket over the final 35 minutes as Arizona used its size to slow him down all game. Kaufman-Renn, whose last-second putback gave Purdue a win in the Sweet 16 against Texas, was in foul trouble all game and scored just 10 points in 24 minutes. Loyer was held to eight points — 3 coming in the closing seconds after the outcome had been decided — and had a 3-pointer go halfway down and out with less than four minutes to play for Purdue's last chance to get back into the game.

The trio finished with 31 points and shot just 12 for 38 (31.8%) from the field, their worst combined shooting percentage in any game this season.

Purdue came into the game ranked as the most efficient offense in the country by KenPom but delivered one of its worst offensive performances at the biggest moment. The Boilermakers had their second-fewest points and second-worst shooting performance (38.1%) of the season.

"They’re obviously very talented," Smith said. “They’re the No. 3 defensive team in the country. They rebound at a high, high level. I think that’s kind of where they got us. We would make a couple of plays, get a couple of blocks and then got it right back and were able to score. Obviously we didn’t make as much shots as we did in the first half in the second half. Then obviously those add up.”

Smith helped Purdue get off to a strong start in the first half, making three of his first four shots, including two from long range. He then fueled an 8-0 run late in the half with a 3 and an assist to C.J. Cox for another 3 as the Boilermakers took a 38-31 halftime lead.

But Purdue shot just 32.1% in the second half with Smith hurting his ankle on an awkward step, Kaufman-Renn committing his third foul just 39 seconds into the half and Loyer not making a shot from long range until his 3 with 8 seconds left on the record 1,103rd and final assist of Smith's career.

“Really proud of these three guys sitting right here and everything they’ve done for our program,” coach Matt Painter said. “Really set a standard of how to go about their business. It’s going to be hard to emulate that. In today’s game, having three guys come and stick it out and fight through adversity and keep making our program better. They got the most wins in school history. They got the most tournament wins in school history. They got two Big Ten championships. They got two Big Ten Tournament titles. You know, they showed up every day and worked. That’s what you want.”

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

Purdue head coach Matt Painter reacts on the bench during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Arizona, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Purdue guard Braden Smith, left, dribbles past Arizona guard Jaden Bradley during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (13) reaches for a rebound next to Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Arizona guard Brayden Burries, left, works for a rebound against Purdue guard Braden Smith during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelley L Cox)

Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) walks off the court after a loss to Arizona in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tobias Harris led a balanced scoring attack with 18 points on Saturday as the Detroit Pistons strengthened their hold on the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 109-87 victory over the injury-riddled Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jalen Duren had 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Pistons, who have won nine of their last 11 games. They began the day with a four-game lead over Boston in the race for the Eastern Conference’s top seed.

Five other Pistons scored at least 10 points, led by Daniss Jenkins and Ronald Holland II with 13 apiece.

Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards (right knee inflammation) missed his sixth straight game. The Timberwolves also played without starting forward Jaden McDaniels (right knee soreness) and guard Ayo Dosunmu (right calf soreness).

Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (collapsed lung) also missed his sixth straight game.

Donte DiVincenzo hit five 3-pointers and led Minnesota with 22 points. Rudy Gobert had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who shot a season-low 32% (27 for 85) from the floor and 21% (9 for 43) from beyond the arc.

SPURS 127, BUCKS 95

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Stephon Castle had a triple-double with 22 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds as hot-shooting San Antonio steamrolled Milwaukee for its eighth consecutive victory.

Castle was one of seven players to score in double figures for the Spurs, who have won 13 of their last 14 to move within two games of the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference standings.

Victor Wembanyama added 23 points, 15 rebounds and six assists. San Antonio never trailed and shot 55.1% (49 of 89).

Milwaukee’s loss eliminated the Bucks from playoff contention, snapping their streak of nine consecutive postseason appearances. The Bucks have lost nine of their last 11 games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out a sixth straight game for Milwaukee with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. The Bucks also were missing Kevin Porter Jr. (right knee), Bobby Portis (left wrist sprain), Kyle Kuzma (Achilles tendinopathy), Gary Harris (personal reasons) and Thanasis Antetokounmpo (left calf).

Gary Trent Jr. scored 18 points to lead the Bucks.

San Antonio’s Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell scored 16 points each. Dylan Harper added 14, De’Aaron Fox 12 and Julian Champagnie 11.

76ERS 118, HORNETS 114

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 29 points, Paul George finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds and Philadelphia rallied from 13 points down in the second half for a win over Charlotte Hornets.

With its fourth win in five games, Philadelphia extended its lead over Charlotte to two games in the race for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Tyrese Maxey returned to the Sixers’ starting lineup and added 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. The All-Star guard had been sidelined since March 7 due to a tendon injury in his right pinkie finger.

Brandon Miller hit five 3-pointers and finished with 29 points and eight rebounds for Charlotte, which had its five-game winning streak halted. LaMelo Ball pitched in with 20 points and eight assists, and Moussa Diabate added 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Charlotte led 36-25 after the first quarter. Philadelphia’s 39-point second quarter cut the lead to 69-64 at halftime. Embiid led all scorers with 21 points in the first half, while Maxey added 17. Miller led Charlotte with 18 points in the opening periods.

HAWKS 123, KINGS 113

ATLANTA (AP) — Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 27 points and Atlanta shot 8 of 12 on 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to survive a late surge from Sacramento to win for coach Quinn Snyder’s 500th career victory.

Jalen Johnson had 26 points and 10 assists and Jock Landale had 19 points and 13 rebounds to help Atlanta to its 15th win in its last 17 games. It was Johnson’s 44th double-double of the season and Landale’s first since his debut with Atlanta on Feb. 5.

The Kings, who have lost their first three games of a four-game road trip, fell to 19-56. DeMar DeRozan led Sacramento with 22 points. Maxime Raynaud had 18 points and 10 rebounds.

After a back-and-forth first half during which Atlanta trailed by as many as seven points, the Hawks went on a 26-8 run in the final 5:54 of the second quarter to lead 66-54 at halftime. Atlanta held its lead the entire third quarter.

But Sacramento bounced back to tie it at 97 with 7:56 left. The Hawks went on a 26-16 run to end the game, with 18 of those points coming on 3-pointers.

GRIZZLIES 125, BULLS 124

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Cedric Coward scored 24 points, including a pair of free throws with 6.5 seconds left, and had nine rebounds and Memphis outlasted Chicago.

After Coward’s free throws, Josh Giddey made two foul shots with 4 seconds left to pull Chicago within one point. The Bulls had a chance to win after the Grizzlies turned over the ensuing inbound pass, but couldn’t get a shot off in time.

Tyler Burton finished with 18 points and Jahmai Mashack added 17 as Memphis snapped a five-game losing streak.

Matas Buzelis led Chicago with 29 points and Collin Sexton had 26 in a reserve role. Giddey had 18 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his 13th triple-double of the season for the Bulls, who have lost three straight.

SUNS 134, JAZZ 109

PHOENIX (AP) — Jalen Green scored 31 points, Devin Booker had 26 and Phoenix routed Utah.

Grayson Allen added 19 points, Oso Ighodaro scored 13 and Khaman Maluach had 12 and nine rebounds for the Suns, who had lost six of their previous seven games. The win moved Phoenix within 3 1/2 games of sixth-place Houston, the last position to stay out of the Western Conference play-in round.

Neither Green nor Booker played in the fourth quarter as the Suns cruised to the victory.

Brice Sensabaugh and Kyle Filipowski each scored 26 points for the Jazz, who lost their fifth in a row, seventh straight on the road and 10th of their last 11 overall. Svi Mykhailuk scored 14 points and Ace Bailey had all of his 13 points in the second half. Kennedy Chandler had 11 points and eight assists for Utah.

The Suns used a 21-2 run in the first quarter to open up a 37-17 lead. Green had 11 points in the quarter, making three of Phoenix’s eight 3-pointers in the period.

Phoenix posted its biggest halftime lead of the season at 73-45, led by Green’s 20 points.

Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins (24) goes to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid, right, in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)